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How to Prepare Your Business for a PAT Inspection — Checklist for Minimising Downtime
Ali Esmaeel
February 3, 2025
The first step is knowing what you’ve actually got on-site. Build a clear list of every appliance that requires testing — kettles, extension leads, heaters, monitors, the lot. This saves time on the day and avoids missed items. Walking into a job with half the kit “hidden” behind cupboards is the fastest way to lose hours.
Next, make sure equipment is accessible. Move obstructions, unlock cupboards, and have staff aware that testing is happening. If you’ve got critical kit that can’t be powered down during working hours, plan those items separately. Engineers can work around your schedule, but only if the site has thought it through in advance.
One good example: when we tested the Platform 9¾ store in King’s Cross, we had everything lined up. Lots of people, constant queues, but no downtime. Appliances were ready, access was clear, and staff were briefed. We worked through in the background while business carried on as normal. That’s how it should be done.
"Preparing for a PAT inspection doesn’t have to be disruptive"
Finally, get your paperwork straight. Keep past certificates, logs, and registers to hand, and file new ones immediately once the job’s done. It protects you, speeds up audits, and keeps insurers happy. Simple steps, but they make all the difference to how efficient a PAT round goes.
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